William Powhida

William Powhida makes work from his observations of the art world, creating “art criticism” in graphic form. Through trompe l’oeil painting and drawings on paper emulating notes, letters, enemies lists, rants, to-do lists, Powhida’s fictional artistic personality goads, cajoles, critiques, insults, complains, and articulates life as a contemporary artist in a market-driven economy.

William received his MFA in 2002 from Hunter College (New York, NY). His most recent solo exhibition was at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield, CT. Other solo exhibitions have been in Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY, Mexico City, Mexico, Copenhagen, Denmark, Dallas, TX, and San Francisco, CA. His work has been included in countless group shows around the country and around the world. He lives and works in New York.

What Is Art?

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Unretrospective series

Works on canvas, 2014, unique oil painting reproductions from artist-suppliedjpgs, painted in Shenzhen, China; stretched. Unsigned, accompanied by a signed“Certificate of Republication.”

TO DO one available at 22 x 30 inches, $550

WHAT CAN THE ART WORLD TEACH YOU one available at 15 x 19 inches, $350 and one at 22 x 30 inches, $550

WHAT HAS THE ART WORLD TAUGHT ME one available at 22 x 30 inches, $550

THE RULES one available at 22 x 30 inches, $550

BLUE PERIOD one available at 22 x 30 inches, $550

AUCTION PROPOSAL one available at 22 x 30 inches, $550

SOME CYNICAL ADVICE FOR ARTISTS one at 22 x 30 inches, $550; one at 30 x 38 inches $1,000

POSSIBLE MEANINGS two available at 22 x 30 inches, $550 and one at 30 x 38 inches, $1,000

SERIES INFO

For the exhibition, William Powhida made republications of his past work available as original oil paintings made in a painting village in Shenzhen, China, to be painted in oil on canvas. Nods toward globalization, reproducibility, and the fabrication of artworks of an artist by other (anonymous) artists point to the discussion that at least one of the two Powhidas want the viewer (and collector) to consider. From his piece titled Dear Seattle": “After discussing a show where nothing would be for sale . . . we were informed that would be pretty . . . stupid. I'm all for some self sabotage but running a gallery isn't FREE because RENT, LABOR, TIME, etc. Then my dealer told me about his trip to China and the painting village. We decided it would be great to do a kind of "Greatest Hits" show or a unRetrospective (the museums aren't exactly lining up offers). Through the MAGIC of exploitive globalization we are able to offer "original" POWHIDA republications at PRICES you might be able to afford for a limited time (OR our inventory runs out in days). For your viewing pleasure and instant gratification, we've pre-ordered 5 BRILLIANT LISTS reflecting the trajectory of my artistic . . . GROWTH. You can also order ANYTHING off my website while the show is open following simple instructions. Please, just BUY something.”